Ladysmith to get commuter parking spaces

Caroline commuters who participate in carpool or vanpool arrangements soon will have a new parking option in the Ladysmith area.

The George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) voted this week to lease 25 parking spots in the Ladysmith Business Park to provide parking space for commuters.

There is no formal commuter parking lot in the village of Ladysmith for carpools and vanpools, and recently commuters have found their vehicles have been towed when they left them parked at the Shops at Ladysmith shopping center on Jefferson Davis Highway.

The issue was brought to the commission by Jeff Black, a member of the Caroline County Board of Supervisors and who represents Caroline on the panel along with fellow Supervisor Calvin Taylor

The commission voted on Monday of this week to lease 25 spaces at the Ladysmith Professional Building in the Ladysmith Business Park. The business park, building, and parking area are accessible via Center Drive off Ladysmith Road just a short distance east of Jefferson Davis Highway. The commission has leased the spaces for $1 per weekday.

The parking spaces will be made available to commuters at no charge but require a permit that may be obtained from the GWRC. Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The spaces should be available around Oct. 1.

Commuters who are interested in obtaining a permit for one of the 25 parking spaces may call GWrideConnect at (540) 373-POOL (7665) or e-mail utz@gwregion.org to leave contact information.